Tsurune

In Tsurune, Minato Narumiya gave up kyudo after a sudden bout of target panic ruined his confidence in middle school. When his old friends sign up for the high school archery club, he feels the pull to pick up a bow again. The story follows Minato as he relearns technique, copes with anxiety around competition, and rebuilds trust with teammates who each bring their own strengths and insecurities. Training scenes are detailed and deliberate, and the series favors quiet moments of practice and conversation over flashy action, keeping focus on character growth rather than tournament outcomes.

Released in 2018, Tsurune was created by Michiko Yokote and Kotoko Ayano. The main voice cast includes Yuto Uemura as Minato, Kensho Ono as Shu, Shogo Yano as Nanao, Kaito Ishikawa as Kaito, and Jun Fukuyama as Eisuke.

The show didn’t sweep major international awards, but it found appreciation within anime communities for its careful pacing and character focus. It earned praise from some reviewers for treating anxiety and team dynamics with sensitivity, even without big mainstream trophies.

Tsurune made an impression through its visual and auditory treatment of kyudo, with slow, focused sequences that highlight rhythm, breathing, and form. Those scenes helped the series stand out among sports anime, attracting a devoted audience who liked its understated tone and attention to tradition over spectacle.

Critical response has generally been favorable, reflected in fan ratings around 7.0/10 from a sample of viewers. Themes include dealing with performance pressure, recovering confidence after setbacks, and how friendship and mentorship can shape skill and self-belief. The series leans toward calm, character-driven drama, so viewers who prefer internal stakes and technical detail in sports will likely appreciate it.